last 01 electric chair
last 01 electric chair
Last Gasp 1994
Hi. Okay, in September of 1993, I convinced Ron Turner, my “boss” at Last Gasp, to let me edit an anthology title for him. “Don’t worry,” I said, “MI be really cool.” He had been drinking, so he agreed. 1 had become sick of starving, semi-literate, leper “artists” approaching me at parties, not to offer me drugs, not to introduce me to cute punk rock chicks, no, but to try and see if I could use my minuscule influence with the bloated underground comix magnate to get them published.
I knew Ron wasn’t about to start a new title from scratch, but if I offered to do the shitwork on it, I figured he wouldn’t be averse to reaping thc profits. And, hey, if you want something done right, you should do it yourself, preferably with someone else’s money. So, with the twin mandates of the production of “coolness” and to not cause undue worry to Mr.Turner, I collapsed into action. Although it causes me great discomfort to say so, extreme thanks must go to Cleavo, for offering me advice, caustic insults, and for continually barging unannounced into my office and snottily asking, “So, how’s your little project going?” Steven Cerio deserves even greater gratitude. Although he is a vegetarian, he got the word out about this thing to the most talented artists in Ncw York with the energy and commitment of a true carnivore. This project would have been inconceivably difficult to pull off without his aid. Praise be unto you, cosmic master! The “point” of Last Gasp Coma’ & Stories, I mean it now, is to devote as much space as possible to artists who have had little or no previous exposure, but who are actually really, really good.
I don’t mean that I’m biased against old dinosaurs who ought to get the hell out of the way, I just wanna give the young ‘ns a chance, is all. Although a lot of the folks I finally used are relatively familiar to most readers, my fond hope is to up the obscurity quotient with each issue. Anyway, our contestants are: Matso: Mats is an illustrator, artist, you name it, he does it, who works out of his South of Market apartment in S.F.
Hal Robins: “Tyrannosaurus Tex” A former collaborator on Anarchy Comics, among many many other things, Mr Robins practices his craft in lovely San Francisco. Danny Hellman: “Mr Pons, Hard Drinking Brain Stem” Danny’s illustration work adorns the pages of Screw magazine, as well as of many other fine publications. He lives in New York City. Chuck Sperry & Bucky Sinister: “Harold & Gerald” Chuck’s work has appeared in World War 111’-Illustrated & Filth. Bucky is the author of several books of poetry. Both live in S.F. Erick Gilbert & Lee Binswan ger: “Song of the Slippers” Many years ago, Erick & Lee were married.
This story explains why they divorced. Erick lives far too close to me in San Francisco. Lee lives in the same city. Brad Johnson: “Last Gas” The sleeping god whose dream is the Universe, Brad lives in S.F. Steven Cerio: “Slummy, Mummick” The former Syracuse, NY resident now creates his startling visions in New York City. Mike Shafer: “AIDS Fucks With Your Mind” Mike lives in Brewcrton, New York, and designs the most hilarious envelopes in which to place his submissions that I’ve ever seen. Ken Struck: “Freak of Nature” Ken works as a night watchman in New Jersey, then comes home to convert his angry visions into art. Stephane Blanquet: “The Dog Killer” Monsieur Blanquet edits Chaco! Puant in France, of all places. Translation by the ubiquitous E. Gilbert. P. Revess: “Pablo Picasso” Michael Kupperman’s work can be seen just about everywhere these days. He lives in N.Y.C. Louisa Bottomley: “Twee Duvels” An expatriate Englishwoman, Ms. Bottomley now struggles to survive among the New World colonists of San Francisco. Krystine Krytt re: “Not for Human Consumption” International fame has not dulled the charm o f this genius of cartoon art.
Bye for now. Issue #2 is gonna kick your ass around the block. Noah Mass, Editor